Locking your garage / shop(?)

[Daubs]

Wife and I moved to a small town of 150 just outside metro area. We have 3 acres and 40'x30' Lester building that will eventually house my ATV's, 1972 Chevy 4x4, mower, boat, tools, etc.

I'm going to put a keypad/combination door handle on the shop, and store all my keys in a locked key cabinet for added safety.

The shop is less than 100' from my bedroom in the house. All the neighbors on the circle are super friendly and say there is little to no traffic on this cul-de-sac. Might be overkill, but I feel better having things locked down.

What do you do with your garage / shop?

Other thoughts / suggestions on security? I do plan to run power and Ethernet out there...could put in a security web cam.

Thanks, D.

 

[timbitca]

Manual sliding lock on the roll up door and padlock with latch on the man door for now.

I need to get off my lazy *** and install my garage door opener, and change the man door out for one with a working key set, all of which I currently have in my possession. Heat and laziness are a heck of a combination.

 

[nicholam77]

I live in a suburban area with small lots. An alley runs through the back with a row of garages for all the houses. Think small two-car garages (mine is only 18x20). It's a safe neighborhood, but that doesn't rule out the possibility thieves from coming by. Most of the thefts in my neighborhood that I've seen documented are bikes getting stolen out of garages, or similar. But... most suburban city-dwelling people just put junk in their garage, not a bunch of expensive power tools.

I'm still growing my collection of tools but I keep a lot of stuff out there that would be awful if it was broken into and stolen.

So I always lock the knob and deadbolt of the service door, and on the overhead door I installed an automated deadbolt into the track from SureLock. Essentially it should prevent the OHD from getting pried open. I also removed the emergency pull and zip-tied the latch. The chances of needing the emergency pull vs. getting my things stolen is so low that I felt it was worth the extra security. My door opener has a self-closing timer so if accidentally unattended it will close in 5min and the failsafes will be back in place (no leaving the door open by mistake).

I do have a security cam at my house but it's not in or by the garage. Personally I prefer preventative measures as far as security goes. Having a visual record when thieves are successful, and the ability to "check in" on the place from inside the house or when away from home is definitely a nice feature to add on to the base security system, though. I may add a camera out there in the future, but another thing to consider is privacy of neighbors and family members when you're not on a huge lot. People don't always want to be recorded. So for me it's balancing that (not having 10 cameras pointed everywhere recording all the time) with being able to safely monitor things.

I've also considered door/window sensors and alarms, but I haven't figured out the best way to arm and disarm automatically as my garage is actually used as a garage as well as a shop and I doubt my family would be willing to set or disarm an alarm every time they went in and out.

In your situation, with a larger shop and property, I wouldn't think twice about taking extra security measures as long as they aren't a pain in the **** on a daily basis. That's where things like your keypad deadbolt come in handy vs. multiple keyed locks.

Plus, like you say, a lot of it is just piece of mind. And sometimes that alone is worth it. If a thief really wants to get in, they will. But a little bit of effort can make it a lot harder, and a lot less likely, and make you more comfortable.

 

[txvwnut]

I do, but once someone is in there’s plenty of stuff to disable any lock.

 

[lakelandcat]

Thieves don't usually steal from there neighbor. I use to live in a rural neighborhood and was on a pro hit address list. Every 6 months like clockwork assholes would break into our house, wait 2 weeks until insurance paid off and hit us again. We tried everything nailing the doors shut, dog, alarm, bars on the windows, we ask the law about booby traping the door with a shot gun and police told us that would be premeditated murder. Our neighbors were good people but they would hit us when we were at work. we lost everything we had 3 times, they killed my dog. We lived in a small town just outside of OKC called Jones. Jones police couldn't get there fast enough and OKC said it wasn't there problem. My point is in the country if they want to get in you can't stop them. We finally were force to move. The last time they were 1/4 mile from my house when I past them coming toward me, I said to myself "that looks like my TV". Nuff said, I pray there is a hell. Motion activated outside security cameras just in case you need evidence, inside camera they will just steal.

 

[matt_i]

There are many threads on this subject, there's an entire continuum from meh to a full-on Prepper project (build an underground bunker, moats with crocs, etc ).

My take is to keep as many things inside as possible (within reason). Keep the doors closed and watch who you let in like a hawk.

Harden joor jambs is worthwhile, and windows are easy targets. The release cord on a standard tracked garage door opener is a weak link.

You have to decide whether a security alarm is worthwhile, anything that makes a big noise if tripped into is going to help draw attention. Of course along those lines the power & comm has to be hardened as well, underground, etc, so its not easily cut.

With a metal skinned shop there's always the question of whether an exterior panel could be unscrewed to gain access...

Bottom line is one could spend years of their life prepping for various methods to be defeated in 1 second by something like a stolen truck bashed into the garage door....

 

[sixty4]

Alarmed, deadbolt and door lock. Also have IR cameras.

 

[Jinks]

Hardened access! Locked doors, & locked hurricane windows, they'll break but won't break open. Next home show give the hurricane window break dealer a try. Even if they crack the window it won't break open.

After that a REALLY LOUD ALARM. No thief wants to be inside some place that's making enough noise to alert the whole county. Third would be cameras. Not just overhead cameras, but some hidden so they catch the thief's face. It won't stop the theft, but it will identify them in court.

 

[Tmart86]

Get a simple alarm with door and window sensors add a burgler bomb and they won’t be back.



https://www.burglarbomb.com/

 

[Brand X]

Thieves don't usually steal from there neighbor.

When they do,not real smart about it..

https://www.ktvz.com/news/shoe-prints-lead-to-crook-county-burglary-suspect-s-arrest/776217508

 

[Kaizen]

I lock all doors and windows on shop, cars, and house. All tools are put away. I’ve been robbed before and diligence to secure your stuff is key


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Capt. Spaulding]

I would say no matter how small the town and how quiet it is I would still lock everything. Criminals look for areas with not a lot of traffic to do their dirt. They can be spotted easier but in the same token there isn’t anyone around to see them breaking into your shop. Cameras are highly recommended. They can be a great deterrent and even if they do not stop them up front and something happens at least you will have evidence and be able to identify who was creeping around for future situations.

 

[Daubs]

Fantastic advice, thank you all!

I agree, if someone wants in and wants your stuff, they will find a way.

Friend of mine was a Douglas county sheriff (Omaha), and saw a lot of stuff in his day. His advice: a barking dog is the best home defense...thieves don't want to mess with a pooch. But if they really want in, all they have to do is poison that dog...

I will keep working on ways to secure and hide my stuff : )

 

[Jack_Toepfer]

A bolt through one of the holes in the garage door rail will stop the door from opening and it is much harder to cut than a padlock because you can't cut it. They will be surrounded by tools which would allow them to unbolt it, but that is too time consuming while the alarm is going off.

Bars over the windows... again, you can remove with tools from the inside of the garage, but they won't invest the time.

I chain my motorcycle to an anchor in the garage... another deterrent to them being able to kick up the stand and roll it out. My dad taught me when I was 4 years old and he stole my minibike to chain up my stuff if I want to keep it... that is one of those life lessons you never forget.

I was also quick to tell my neighbors that if they EVER see ANYTHING suspicious I'd rather receive the phone call and tell them to disregard than to have them tell me the next day they saw something and did nothing.

The worst feeling you can have is being stolen from.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Simply being consistent about locking the doors and windows will be your biggest bang for the buck. Burglars look for easy access, if they can't get in quickly they will most likely move on.


There was an email alert from my local police precinct the other day, reporting four recent burglaries in the neighborhood. The burglars cut screens and came in through open windows for two of them, and they came in through unlocked doors for the other two. The moral of the story is pretty obvious...

The worst feeling you can have is being stolen from.

It's no fun, but it's far from the worst feeling you can have.

 

[lakelandcat]

I would say no matter how small the town and how quiet it is I would still lock everything. Criminals look for areas with not a lot of traffic to do their dirt. They can be spotted easier but in the same token there isn’t anyone around to see them breaking into your shop. Cameras are highly recommended. They can be a great deterrent and even if they do not stop them up front and something happens at least you will have evidence and be able to identify who was creeping around for future situations.

Hidden camera is the smart way, you can also buy dummy cameras, they look like the real thing and you can plant a bunch at every door cheap, even if they hesitate it sends a message. Ever since cordless came in the key of choice is the cordless grinder.

 

[LXCam]

This works for me

Thieves don't usually steal from there neighbor. I use to live in a rural neighborhood and was on a pro hit address list. Every 6 months like clockwork assholes would break into our house, wait 2 weeks until insurance paid off and hit us again. We tried everything nailing the doors shut, dog, alarm, bars on the windows, we ask the law about booby traping the door with a shot gun and police told us that would be premeditated murder. Our neighbors were good people but they would hit us when we were at work. we lost everything we had 3 times, they killed my dog. We lived in a small town just outside of OKC called Jones. Jones police couldn't get there fast enough and OKC said it wasn't there problem. My point is in the country if they want to get in you can't stop them. We finally were force to move. The last time they were 1/4 mile from my house when I past them coming toward me, I said to myself "that looks like my TV". Nuff said, I pray there is a hell. Motion activated outside security cameras just in case you need evidence, inside camera they will just steal.

Wow! My great grand folks settled in Jones after the run. I spent every summer between there and okc with grandma growing up. Back then it was still all farms and nothing like that would have ever happened. I'm really sorry to hear it went to ****. Heck 50yrs ago my dads cousin was the local sheriff there. Such a shame especially what you two went thru.

 

[ovilla]

Even if you don’t have an alarm make sure to get some local alarm company signs and put them up around the house. Many thieves will simply skip your house and go to other more easier targets.

 

[ct03911]

Sounds like you are running wire out there already. Run alarm/fire wire for future use if nothing else.
In my 26x28 detached garage I ran fire wire and alarm wire and ADT was able to install a single motion detector, a single smoke detector and a single gas detector (propane heat).
I have a seperate keypad in the house and lock and alarm the shop every time I’m gone.
I have ADT stickers on every window.
My thought is, it’s not hard to get in a window or door but if you get inside the motion detector sees it. Kinda covers all bases.
I’m told cameras are the real deterent today. I don’t have those but anyone who gets in will be detected.
Funny story regarding the need for gas/heat detectors.
My battery powered thermostat for the Hot Dawg propane setup died while I was away last winter. Set on 55 or so.
You’d think it would kill any signal for heat. Nope. Called for heat.
I was away and the heat ran until the ceiling heat detector went off. I forget the thermal trip on that thing but I think 120 or so.
Police and fire company came and surprised my wife.
I think an alarm and more is important in a garage.
You have a lot of money on your stuff out there.
I also store all my flammables in Justrite cabinets.
Garages make for spectacular fires if there is no alarm and no proper storage.
My sister can attest to this but I degress.

 

[mcbane]

...
After that a REALLY LOUD ALARM.

If you have a large compressed air system, consider a train horn INSIDE the garage. It will be loud enough to make continued theft activity very unpleasant.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Door lock and deadbolt with an 11 gauge plate behind the bolts. It'll take a little work kicking the door in. Both doors have a padlock on each side. Three windows in the front are tinted and have blinds to prevent wandering eyes. An alarm and a dog in the house that will bark at noises at night or day.

 

[ducksface]

>21 dollar solution.
Yi camera with tracking and Motion detection and microphone and speaker and cloud and SD save and email to you of the motion clip along with a text notice.
Battery backup.
Hidden in a doll head or beer can.


Free solution.
Alfred is a Droid app that turns old phones i to cameras and even has a smoke alarm.

And
Lock your door.
I don't lock mine, other fools don't lock theirs.
I'll know the second someone steps into my garage... And no broken lock to contend with. Foolish? Yup.

Proximity lock is coming soon for me. Locked until I'm within fifty feet, then auto unlock. Consider one for your place. 50 to 180 bucks.

Lock your door.


I am torn by my warning sign choice.
A meth head is either going to be very afraid of monkeys, or is absolutely positively going to see those ******** monkeys, or die trying... I don't think there is an in between.

Sign is from gemplars.

 

[TractorJeff]

Insurance companies don't pay up if the doors are not locked?

 

[killahog]

I have been tempted to install one of these.

https://www.burglarbomb.com

 

[James-W]

I have a garage door opener and I have a regular door knob key lock on the man door. I keep the man door locked and the overhead door down when I am not out there working. Everything is insured, but I take reasonable care to avoid being robbed. We live on the north side of town in an area where there is very little theft. The south side of town has a lot of apartments and they have a higher crime rate than the north side of town. It isn't like they have armed robbery or shootings or anything like that, it is mostly breaking into cars, stealing tires off vehicles, things of that nature.

 

[6768rogues]

I use a digital deadbolt and nonlocking handle. When I go away, I put a C clamp on each garage door track so they cannot be raised without taking the clamp off.

 

[Garett]

I run double deadbolts, if they can squeeze in the one tiny window and cant get out any door. They can't take much out that window. But I suppose if they are smart enough there are enough tools to cut through the doors. Do I need to lock all the tools up too?

Does anybody here lock their toolbox in their own garage?

 

[mikegt4]

Simply being consistent about locking the doors and windows will be your biggest bang for the buck. Burglars look for easy access, if they can't get in quickly they will most likely move on.

There was an email alert from my local police precinct the other day, reporting four recent burglaries in the neighborhood. The burglars cut screens and came in through open windows for two of them, and they came in through unlocked doors for the other two. The moral of the story is pretty obvious...

It's no fun, but it's far from the worst feeling you can have.

^^^THIS^^^
I live in the country and I still lock my doors even though there is no crime except maybe some littering. Keeping locking the doors as a habit is the first line of defense, I still forget every once in a while. My neighbors are great, if someone uses my driveway to turn around I hear about it.

 

[youwish2bme]

I run double deadbolts, if they can squeeze in the one tiny window and cant get out any door. They can't take much out that window. But I suppose if they are smart enough there are enough tools to cut through the doors. Do I need to lock all the tools up too?

Does anybody here lock their toolbox in their own garage?

All my tools get locked up in my boxes and power tools are locked in a metal cabinet. So even if they get in the shop they don't have access to tools to help them take more stuff.